Back Saw Restoration

First, it is a woodworking tool, and the wooden handle needed to be refinished. The first photo is the before pic, and the second one is the after shot. In the original, the gaudy red stripe that someone had painted on the tool doesn’t show up that clearly, but it was obnoxious. I knew it had to go. So, after rehabbing the blade, I took some 220 grit sandpaper and sanded most of the handle. After that, I put on a coat of BLO and it helped. I can see in this photo what I missed though. Honestly, it looks better in person! ;)

I’m not to crazy about the wood tone though, so I may take it down to bare wood again at some future date and stain it to match my Disston and Diamond Edge saw handles. OCD? In a woodworker? Never!!! ;)

How nicely u have changed the look of your back saw. What are the shortcuts BLO and OCD stand for. Recently I have broken the handle of my Tennon Saw. If I want to make it which is the best wood for it?Patanjali

-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

I sent you a private message, but figured I should answer here as well, since others may have the same questions. BLO is boiled linsead oil. OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

As for the tenon saw handle, many of the old quality saws used apple. Several modern saw makers use things like walnut and I believe one or two may use beech (guess based on pics). Some also use more exotic woods like bubinga, rosewood, and cocobolo, just to name a few. I figure that any wood that’s strong and stable would work well.

Thank u for the information. I will try to get a proper wood for making the handle. But I cannot wait till it is done. I am making a temporary repair to the handle and I will post the picture within a few days. What is the best way to protect the new handle. How u have cleaned the saw blade. Is it only with a sandpaper or any chemical was used?Patanjali

-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

The only thing besides sandpaper used was plain old mineral spirits. In my opinion, it’s definitely a requirement for restoring an old saw. Without it, it just doesn’t work.

Karson,

Oh yes, the buffet definitely needs to be refinished. It belonged to my great grandmother, and it was neglected by my mother who just couldn’t do anything with it. It’s one of the projects I plan on attacking in the future…one of many :)

Having just discovered this website,and having just thru good fortune managed to lay my hands on a well-worn Spear&Jackson made-in-Sheffield tenon saw,I would like some suggestion from you Tom,or anyone else on restoring the tote(i.e. handle)which looks like the one in your pictures.I have managed to de-rust most of the blade with good old-fashioned ‘elbow grease’ and wet ‘n dry but want to bring the tote back to a nice lustre.The sawblade requires sharpening too.

I have rubbed the tote down with a 0000 grade steel wool,lightly sandpapered it,and then applied ordinary linseed oil but did not quite get a sparkle out of it so was wondering whether to apply Danish Oil.Open to suggestions.

I was about to place an order for another made-in-Sheffield tenon saw made by Footprint but it is horrendously marked up by the stockists to cash in on the recent demise of Footprint,so if I can get this S&J back to working order soon,I can then cancel my order.